No state has been so frequently mocked, maligned, or misunderstood as New Jersey. Yet the state is filled with amazing places and people who rarely receive the media attention they deserve. For the past twenty years Star-Ledger columnist Peter Genovese has been one of the rare voices singing the praises of his state’s hidden wonders and gritty charms.
For this new book, Genovese spent months scouring the state for rich stories and fascinating locations. New Jersey State of Mind takes us on a journey to over twenty-five of these places and introduces us to the colorful characters who live and work there, from a demolition derby driver to a female craft brewer, and from a Cuban celebrity chef to a Portuguese pig breeder. He also reveals the many natural wonders that have earned New Jersey its “Garden State” nickname, from cranberry bogs to river tours to wild bird sanctuaries.
Collectively, these pieces paint a picture of a diverse state full of hard-working individuals who care for their communities. This book cuts through the myths and stereotypes surrounding the state and reveals the proud beating heart of the real New Jersey.
CONTENTS
Introduction
The Swamps of North Jersey
King of the Rolling Chairs
A Day at the Trailer Park
A Night at the Food Truck
Go Ask Alice
Inside the Traffic Management Center
Where 600,000 Insects are on the Menu
Muscle Cars Forever
David Bowie, Hip Hop Tunnel and Aqualand
I Am Not Eating the Dirt
Lives Rebuilt, Hopes Restored
The State’s Coolest Spot
Baby You Can Crash My Car
From Buttzville to Bivalve and Beyond
What Kind of Dishwasher Wears a Rolex?
Straight Outta Camden
The Most Beautiful Color of All
Eat Where the Truckers - and Bono – Eat
Boost!
If You Have a Heartbeat, Please Call
At the Dock of the Bay
You’re in the Brew Army Now
Growing Up Up Up
Serenaded on New Jersey’s Official Tall Ship
Homemade and Good
The View from High Point
The 40 Best Places to Visit in New Jersey
Acknowledgements
About the Author
